Adapted PE
Category: Laws/Policies

One of the issues I have been having as an adapted physical education teacher is that students are being placed in this class simply because they " don't want to change into gym clothes". Many students know that they can get placed in the lower intensity adaptive class if they refuse to change or refuse to run the mile for the fitness testing.

This class has several students with classified disabilities as per state education guidelines; some of these students are severely disabled and need these services. My view on this is that unless a student is identified on an IEP they should not be placed in the adaptive class. Do you have any suggestions for how I should handle this situation?

Adapted Physical Education, as defined in IDEA (1997) is specially designed instruction in physical education for those students with disabilities. Eligibility requirements differ by state. However, each state should establish criteria that is followed when referring a student for such services. "Not changing" should not be part of that criteria.

Criteria that I've seen usually pertain to eligibility for special education services, a motor assessment score of 1 to 1.5 standard deviations below the mean, and despite many attempts, participation in a regular physical education class does not meet least restrictive environment (LRE) criteria for the student. An adapted physical education class may be his/her LRE.

I would agree with you. No student should be excused from physical education because they don't want to change their clothes. However, physical education should also be seen as a subject area where they want to participate. With the new gains being made in the New PE the perspectives of students should be slowly changing. Finding out why they won't participate may help in finding a solution.

Last modified date: 9/14/2010

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